Method and system for implementing chargebacks on a distributed ledger system

ABSTRACT

A method for recording chargebacks in blockchain transactions includes: storing a blockchain comprised of a plurality of blocks, each block being comprised of a block header and data values, where each data value includes a unique transaction identifier and data corresponding to a processed payment transaction; receiving a chargeback request including a specific transaction identifier corresponding to a unique transaction identifier included in a data value in the blockchain; generating a first transaction data value comprising the specific transaction identifier, a first new unique transaction identifier, and data indicating that a chargeback is requested for the corresponding payment transaction; transmitting the first transaction data value to a blockchain node; generating a second transaction data value comprising the specific transaction identifier, a second new unique transaction identifier, and data indicating a resolution for the chargeback for the corresponding payment transaction; and transmitting the second transaction data value to a blockchain node.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the implementation of chargebacks on adistributed ledger system, more specifically the recording ofchargebacks and chargeback resolutions in a blockchain to enable suchdata to be immutable and publicly accessible to assist in theidentification of fraudulent consumers and merchants and facilitatestronger transactions.

BACKGROUND

Credit cards and other similar types of payment instruments have enabledconsumers to purchase items on credit when they may be otherwise unableto. In addition, over time such payment instruments have providedadditional benefits to consumers as well, such as rewards and loyaltyprograms, the ability to fund transactions without having to carry cash,etc. Another benefit that has arisen from the use of credit cards andother similar payment instruments is the chargeback. A chargeback is ademand placed on a merchant or other seller by the issuing institutionof a credit card, demanding that the merchant refund a transaction.Often times, chargebacks are requested by a consumer when a merchantrefuses to provide a refund directly to the consumer, despite theconsumer having a valid reason for such a refund. Chargebacks providethe consumer with additional recourse, and helps level the playing fieldbetween merchants and consumers.

However, while chargebacks can be a beneficial tool for consumers, therecan also be risks associated therewith. For instance, a single consumermay regularly request chargebacks using questionable justifications, asa way of avoiding payment to merchants for expensive items. As such, theconsumer may be engaging in fraudulent activity, which takes advantageof merchants. On the other hand, chargebacks can also reveal merchantsthat take advantage of their consumers. For example, a merchant withwhom chargebacks are regularly requested may be regularly providingdefective products or otherwise mistreating their consumers, resultingin the myriad of chargeback requests. As a result, keeping track ofchargebacks can be beneficial for both consumers and merchants, toreduce or otherwise monitor instances of fraud.

However, there currently exists no system dedicated to the storage andtracking of data related to chargebacks that is both reliable andaccessible to multitudes, likely primarily due to the difficulty ofproviding access and the ability to add to the data, but at the sametime keeping it secure form intrusion and alteration of priorinformation by those adversely affected, for instance. It does notappear that there are prior systems that provide chargeback informationin a fairly open forum, and prior systems that provide some level ofdata security do so by providing user-specific rights such that the useronly can see and possibly alter certain data records, meaning that theassigned rights have to be tracked and the physical computers holdingsuch databases with a security layer or layers, are nevertheless capableof being hacked. Thus, there is a need for a technical solution toenable data related to chargebacks to be stored in a manner that makessuch data immutable and decentralized to ensure integrity and accuracyof the data, and such that the data is available to any interestedentity to increase utility and help combat fraud and mistreatment.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a description of systems and methods forrecording chargebacks in blockchain transactions. Payment transactiondata may be stored as data values inside of a blockchain, where suchdata may include, for instance, identification values associated with atransaction account and merchant involved in the transaction. When achargeback is requested, an entry may be made into the blockchain thatreferences the related transaction, as well as indicates that achargeback has been requested. Once the chargeback is resolved, anotherentry may be made that indicates the resolution of the chargeback forthat transaction. As such, there may be an immutable record but possiblywidely accessible of the history of that transaction through thechargeback process. On the whole, such data may indicate repeatedinstances of chargebacks against a particular merchant, repeatedinstances of chargebacks initiated by a specific transaction account,success rates of such chargebacks, etc., in a manner that cannot bemodified or tampered with. As a result, the system may protect genuineconsumers and merchants, while exposing those involved in nefariousactivities.

A method for recording chargebacks in blockchain transactions includes:storing, in a memory of a processing server, a blockchain, wherein theblockchain includes a plurality of blocks, each block being comprised ofat least a block header and one or more data values, where each datavalue includes at least a unique transaction identifier and datacorresponding to a processed payment transaction; receiving, by areceiving device of the processing server, a chargeback request, whereinthe chargeback request includes a specific transaction identifiercorresponding to a unique transaction identifier included in a specificdata value in the blockchain; generating, by a generation module of theprocessing server, a first transaction data value comprising at leastthe specific transaction identifier, a first new unique transactionidentifier, and data indicating that a chargeback is requested for thecorresponding payment transaction; electronically transmitting, by atransmitting device of the processing server, the first transaction datavalue to a blockchain node; generating, by the generation module of theprocessing server, a second transaction data value comprising at leastthe specific transaction identifier, a second new unique transactionidentifier, and data indicating a resolution for the chargebackrequested for the corresponding payment transaction; and electronicallytransmitting, by the transmitting device of the processing server, thesecond transaction data value to a blockchain node.

A system for recording chargebacks in blockchain transactions includes:a memory of a processing server configured to store a blockchain,wherein the blockchain includes a plurality of blocks, each block beingcomprised of at least a block header and one or more data values, whereeach data value includes at least a unique transaction identifier anddata corresponding to a processed payment transaction; a receivingdevice of the processing server configured to receive a chargebackrequest, wherein the chargeback request includes a specific transactionidentifier corresponding to a unique transaction identifier included ina specific data value in the blockchain; a generation module of theprocessing server configured to generate a first transaction data valuecomprising at least the specific transaction identifier, a first newunique transaction identifier, and data indicating that a chargeback isrequested for the corresponding payment transaction; and a transmittingdevice of the processing server configured to electronically transmitthe first transaction data value to a blockchain node, wherein thegeneration module of the processing server is further configured togenerate a second transaction data value comprising at least thespecific transaction identifier, a second new unique transactionidentifier, and data indicating a resolution for the chargebackrequested for the corresponding payment transaction, and thetransmitting device of the processing server is further configured toelectronically transmit the second transaction data value to ablockchain node.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The scope of the present disclosure is best understood from thefollowing detailed description of exemplary embodiments when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Included in the drawings arethe following figures:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a high level system architecturefor recording chargebacks in blockchain transactions in accordance withexemplary embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the processing server of thesystem of FIG. 1 for the storage of chargeback data in blockchaintransactions in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for recording chargebackdata in blockchain transactions by the processing server of FIG. 2 inaccordance with exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for recordingchargebacks in blockchain transactions in accordance with exemplaryembodiments.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system architecture inaccordance with exemplary embodiments.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description of exemplary embodiments areintended for illustration purposes only and are, therefore, not intendedto necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Glossary of Terms

Transaction Account—A financial account that may be used to fund atransaction, such as a checking account, savings account, creditaccount, virtual payment account, etc. A transaction account may beassociated with a consumer, which may be any suitable type of entityassociated with a payment account, which may include a person, family,company, corporation, governmental entity, etc. In some instances, atransaction account may be virtual, such as those accounts operated byPayPal®, etc.

Issuer—An entity that establishes (e.g., opens) a letter or line ofcredit in favor of a beneficiary, and honors drafts drawn by thebeneficiary against the amount specified in the letter or line ofcredit. In many instances, the issuer may be a bank or other financialinstitution authorized to open lines of credit. In some instances, anyentity that may extend a line of credit to a beneficiary may beconsidered an issuer. The line of credit opened by the issuer may berepresented in the form of a payment account, and may be drawn on by thebeneficiary via the use of a payment card. An issuer may also offeradditional types of payment accounts to consumers as will be apparent topersons having skill in the relevant art, such as debit accounts,prepaid accounts, electronic wallet accounts, savings accounts, checkingaccounts, etc., and may provide consumers with physical or non-physicalmeans for accessing and/or utilizing such an account, such as debitcards, prepaid cards, automated teller machine cards, electronicwallets, checks, etc.

Merchant—An entity that provides products (e.g., goods and/or services)for purchase by another entity, such as a consumer or another merchant.A merchant may be a consumer, a retailer, a wholesaler, a manufacturer,or any other type of entity that may provide products for purchase aswill be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant art. In someinstances, a merchant may have special knowledge in the goods and/orservices provided for purchase. In other instances, a merchant may nothave or require any special knowledge in offered products. In someembodiments, an entity involved in a single transaction may beconsidered a merchant. In some instances, as used herein, the term“merchant” may refer to an apparatus or device of a merchant entity.

Payment Transaction—A transaction between two entities in which money orother financial benefit is exchanged from one entity to the other. Thepayment transaction may be a transfer of funds, for the purchase ofgoods or services, for the repayment of debt, or for any other exchangeof financial benefit as will be apparent to persons having skill in therelevant art. In some instances, payment transaction may refer totransactions funded via a payment card and/or payment account, such ascredit card transactions. Such payment transactions may be processed viaan issuer, payment network, and acquirer. The process for processingsuch a payment transaction may include at least one of authorization,batching, clearing, settlement, and funding. Authorization may includethe furnishing of payment details by the consumer to a merchant, thesubmitting of transaction details (e.g., including the payment details)from the merchant to their acquirer, and the verification of paymentdetails with the issuer of the consumer's payment account used to fundthe transaction. Batching may refer to the storing of an authorizedtransaction in a batch with other authorized transactions fordistribution to an acquirer. Clearing may include the sending of batchedtransactions from the acquirer to a payment network for processing.Settlement may include the debiting of the issuer by the payment networkfor transactions involving beneficiaries of the issuer. In someinstances, the issuer may pay the acquirer via the payment network. Inother instances, the issuer may pay the acquirer directly. Funding mayinclude payment to the merchant from the acquirer for the paymenttransactions that have been cleared and settled. It will be apparent topersons having skill in the relevant art that the order and/orcategorization of the steps discussed above performed as part of paymenttransaction processing.

Payment Network—A system or network used for the transfer of money viathe use of cash-substitutes for thousands, millions, and even billionsof transactions during a given period. Payment networks may use avariety of different protocols and procedures in order to process thetransfer of money for various types of transactions. Transactions thatmay be performed via a payment network may include product or servicepurchases, credit purchases, debit transactions, fund transfers, accountwithdrawals, etc. Payment networks may be configured to performtransactions via cash-substitutes, which may include payment cards,letters of credit, checks, transaction accounts, etc. Examples ofnetworks or systems configured to perform as payment networks includethose operated by MasterCard®, VISA®, Discover®, American Express®,PayPal®, etc. Use of the term “payment network” herein may refer to boththe payment network as an entity, and the physical payment network, suchas the equipment, hardware, and software comprising the payment network.

Payment Rails—Infrastructure associated with a payment network used inthe processing of payment transactions and the communication oftransaction messages and other similar data between the payment networkand other entities interconnected with the payment network that handlesthousands, millions, and even billions of transactions during a givenperiod. The payment rails may be comprised of the hardware used toestablish the payment network and the interconnections between thepayment network and other associated entities, such as financialinstitutions, gateway processors, etc. In some instances, payment railsmay also be affected by software, such as via special programming of thecommunication hardware and devices that comprise the payment rails. Forexample, the payment rails may include specifically configured computingdevices that are specially configured for the routing of transactionmessages, which may be specially formatted data messages that areelectronically transmitted via the payment rails, as discussed in moredetail below.

Blockchain—A public ledger of all transactions of a blockchain-basedcurrency. One or more computing devices may comprise a blockchainnetwork, which may be configured to process and record transactions aspart of a block in the blockchain. Once a block is completed, the blockis added to the blockchain and the transaction record thereby updated.In many instances, the blockchain may be a ledger of transactions inchronological order, or may be presented in any other order that may besuitable for use by the blockchain network. In some configurations,transactions recorded in the blockchain may include a destinationaddress and a currency amount, such that the blockchain records how muchcurrency is attributable to a specific address. In some instances, thetransactions are financial and others not financial, or might includeadditional or different information, such as a source address,timestamp, etc. In some embodiments, a blockchain may also oralternatively include nearly any type of data as a form of transactionthat is or needs to be placed in a distributed database that maintains acontinuously growing list of data records hardened against tampering andrevision, even by its operators, and may be confirmed and validated bythe blockchain network through proof of work and/or any other suitableverification techniques associated therewith. In some cases, dataregarding a given transaction may further include additional data thatis not directly part of the transaction appended to transaction data. Insome instances, the inclusion of such data in a blockchain mayconstitute a transaction. In such instances, a blockchain may not bedirectly associated with a specific digital, virtual, fiat, or othertype of currency.

System for Recording of Chargeback Data Via Blockchain

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for the recording of data associatedwith chargebacks for payment transactions as blockchain transactions ina blockchain.

The system 100 may include a processing server 102. The processingserver 102, discussed in more detail below, may be configured togenerate blockchain transactions for chargebacks that are requested forelectronic payment transactions. In the system 100, a consumer 104 mayconduct an electronic payment transaction for which a chargeback islater requested. The system 100 may include an issuing institution 106.The issuing institution 106 may be a financial institution, such as anissuing bank, or other entity that is configured to issue paymentinstruments for transaction accounts for use in funding electronicpayment transactions. The issuing institution 106 may be issue atransaction account to the consumer 104, and as part of the issuance ofthe transaction account, may issue a payment instrument 108 associatedwith that transaction account to the consumer 104. The paymentinstrument 108 may be a credit card or any other suitable type ofpayment instrument for which chargebacks may be requested fortransactions funded therewith.

The consumer 104 may engage in an electronic payment transaction with amerchant 110. As part of the conducting of the electronic paymenttransaction, the consumer 104 may provide the payment instrument 108 tothe merchant 110, which may read or otherwise obtain payment credentialstherefrom. The merchant 110 may initiate processing of the paymenttransaction, which may include the submission of the payment credentialsassociated with the transaction account and other transaction data to apayment network 112. Such additional transaction data may include, forinstance, a transaction amount, transaction time, transaction date,geographic location, currency type, merchant identification number,product data, consumer data, merchant data, issuer data, acquirer data,loyalty data, reward data, offer data, etc.

The payment network 112 may receive the data from the merchant 110 usingpayment rails associated therewith. In some embodiments, the merchant110 may submit the data directly to the payment network 112. In otherembodiments, the transaction data may be submitted via one or moreintermediate entities, such as an acquiring financial institution and/orgateway processor. In some cases, the data may be stored in atransaction message that is generated by the merchant 110 or anintermediate entity. The transaction message may be a speciallyformatted data message that is formatted pursuant to one or morestandards governing the exchange of financial transaction messages, suchas the International Organization of Standardization's ISO 8583 or ISO20022 standards. In such cases, the transaction message may include aplurality of data elements configured to store the transaction data, aswell as a message type indicator indicating a type for the transactionmessage, such as an authorization request, authorization response,chargeback request, chargeback response, etc.

Upon receipt of the transaction data, the payment network 112 mayprocess the payment transaction using traditional methods and systems.Such processing may include the forwarding of transaction data to theissuing institution 106, which may approve or deny the paymenttransaction based on traditional factors, such as the amount of creditavailable to the transaction account (e.g., associated with the paymentinstrument 108 presented for payment) compared to the transactionamount. Following the successful processing of the payment transaction,the payment network 112 may provide at least a portion of thetransaction data to a blockchain network 114 for inclusion in ablockchain. In some cases, the payment network 112 may provide thetransaction data to a node comprising the blockchain network 114. Inother cases, the payment network 112 itself may operate as a node in theblockchain network 114. In yet other cases, the payment network 112 mayprovide the transaction data to a third party, such as the processingserver 102, for submission to a node in the blockchain network 114. Insome embodiments, the processing server 102 may be a part of the paymentnetwork 112 and may perform communications with the blockchain network114 on behalf of the payment network 112. In some instances, theprocessing server 102 may be a node in the blockchain network 114.

The transaction data for the payment transaction may be included in adata value that is added to the blockchain. The blockchain may becomprised of a plurality of blocks, where each block includes a blockheader and one or more data values, with each data value beingassociated with a processed payment transaction. Each block header mayinclude at least a timestamp, a reference value to the prior (e.g.,based on timestamp) block in the blockchain, and a reference value tothe data value(s) included in its same block. In an exemplaryembodiment, the reference value to the prior block may be a hash valueof the block header of the prior block, which may be generated via theapplication of one or more hashing algorithms to the block header.Similarly, the reference value to the data value(s) included in a blockmay be a hash value of said data values, which may be generated via theapplication of one or more hashing algorithms to the data value(s). Thestorage of the reference values in a block header may ensureimmutability of all data stored in the blockchain, as the modificationto any data included in a single data value or block header would resultin a hashing yielding a different hash value, which would propagatethrough every subsequent block header, thus revealing any attemptedmodification to the blockchain. In addition, the decentralized nature ofthe blockchain, with the blockchain data being stored at every nodecomprising the blockchain network 114, ensures that even a successfulattempt at modifying the blockchain would be detected unless everysingle node were to be compromised.

Following the successful processing of the payment transaction involvingthe consumer 104 and the merchant 110, a block may be added to theblockchain that includes a data value corresponding to that paymenttransaction. The consumer 104 may later on decide that a chargeback isnecessary for the payment transaction, such as due to a defectiveproduct for which the merchant 110 refuses to issue a refund. Theconsumer 104 may contact the issuing institution 106 and request achargeback for the specific payment transaction. The issuing institution106 may then submit a chargeback request to the processing server 102,which may be electronically transmitted directly to the processingserver 102 or via one or more intermediaries, such as the paymentnetwork 112. In some cases, the processing server 102 may be configuredto initiate the chargeback process directly. In other cases, the issuinginstitution 106 may use traditional processes for initiation of thechargeback process, while the processing server 102 may be utilized forinteraction with the blockchain and storage of the related data.

The chargeback request submitted to the processing server 102 mayinclude at least a specific transaction identifier. The transactionidentifier may be a unique value associated with a processed electronicpayment transaction, such as a number, alphanumeric value, hexadecimalvalue, or other suitable type of unique value. The transactionidentifier for a payment transaction may be generated by the paymentnetwork 112 or other entity involved in the transaction duringprocessing, and may be stored in the data value in the blockchain thatcorresponds to the payment transaction. The processing server 102 mayreceive the chargeback request and may generate a new transaction datavalue for storage in the blockchain. The new transaction data value mayinclude at least the specific transaction identifier for the paymenttransaction for which the chargeback is being requested, as well as dataindicating that a chargeback has been requested for the paymenttransaction. The data may include, for instance, a status flag, a datavalue, a reference to the chargeback transaction itself (e.g., anadditional transaction identifier), and/or data related to thechargeback, such as the time and/or date requested, time and/or dateinitiated, amount requested, etc.

The processing server 102 may then submit the new transaction data valueto a blockchain node for inclusion in a subsequent block to be added tothe blockchain. In embodiments where the processing server 102 is a nodein the blockchain network 114, the processing server 102 may retain thetransaction data value and include it in a new block that is to beverified by other nodes and then added into the blockchain. Once added,the blockchain may thus indicate that a chargeback has been requestedfor the specific payment transaction.

Once resolution of the chargeback occurs, the processing server 102 maybe notified accordingly (e.g., by the issuing institution 106, paymentnetwork 112, merchant 110, or other entity, as applicable). Thenotification may include the specific transaction identifier related tothe corresponding payment transaction and/or the reference to thechargeback itself, and also include an indication of the resolution ofthe chargeback. The indication may indicate, for instance, that thechargeback was successful or failed. In instances where the chargebackfailed (e.g., was denied), the indication may also include a reason codethat provides a reason for the failure. The processing server 102 maythen generate another new transaction data value, which may include thespecific transaction identifier and the data indicating the resolutionof the chargeback. In some cases, the reason code or other dataassociated with the resolution of the chargeback may be included in thenew transaction data value. The processing server 102 may then submitthe new transaction data value to a node in the blockchain network 114for inclusion in a subsequent block added to the blockchain.

In some embodiments, the processing server 102 may utilize smartcontracts for the generation of the second new transaction data value. Asmart contract may be a script or other computer protocol that may beincluded in a data value in the blockchain that is self-executed onceone or more predetermined conditions have been met. In the system 100,that processing server 102 may include a smart contract in the first newtransaction data value that is submitted to the blockchain network 114that includes the indication that a chargeback is requested for thepayment transaction. The smart contract may be configured toself-execute once the chargeback has been resolved, such as bymonitoring correspondence received by the processing server 102 orissuing institution 106, upon the change in a data field that ismodified by the processing server 102 upon receipt of the resolution ofthe chargeback, etc. The execution of the smart contract may result inthe generation of the second transaction data value that includes thedata indicating the resolution of the chargeback, and may further resultin the submission of the second transaction data value to a node in theblockchain network 114. As a result, the smart contract may be utilizedby the processing server 102 to increase efficiency in the addition ofthe resolution data for the chargeback into the blockchain.

In some embodiments, the system 100 may utilize multiple blockchains forperforming of the functions discussed herein. In such an embodiment, theblockchain network 114 may utilize a first blockchain for storage ofdata values corresponding to processed payment transactions, and mayutilize a second blockchain for storage of data values corresponding tochargebacks for the payment transactions. In such instances, the datavalues included in the second blockchain may include a reference valueto the corresponding data value in the first blockchain, and/or areference to the first blockchain, such as a blockchain identificationvalue. In these embodiments, the second blockchain may be comprisedsolely of chargeback data, which may result in quicker identification oftrends involving chargebacks for consumers 104 and merchants 110.

The methods and systems discussed herein enable the storage of dataassociated with chargebacks for electronic payment transactions in animmutable and decentralized manner, facilitated via a blockchain. Theimmutable and decentralized storage of the chargeback data ensures thatthe data is accurate and cannot be tampered with, increasing theintegrity and security of the data. The easily accessible storage ofchargeback data for a vast number of payment transactions can facilitatethe identification of consumers 104 that abuse the chargeback process,as an entity (e.g., the issuing institution 106 or a merchant 110) mayidentify that a single consumer 104 participates in a large number ofchargebacks, particularly in cases where the chargebacks are oftenunsuccessful. Similarly, an issuing institution 106 or a payment network112 may identify that a merchant 110 is often the target of an unusuallylarge number of chargebacks by multiple consumers 104, which may resultin decreased business for the merchant 110, and increase of fees chargedfor transactions involving the merchant 110, and other manners ofrecourse.

Processing Server

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a processing server 102 in thesystem 100. It will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevantart that the embodiment of the processing server 102 illustrated in FIG.2 is provided as illustration only and may not be exhaustive to allpossible configurations of the processing server 102 suitable forperforming the functions as discussed herein. For example, the computersystem 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 and discussed in more detail below maybe a suitable configuration of the processing server 102.

The processing server 102 may include a receiving device 202. Thereceiving device 202 may be configured to receive data over one or morenetworks via one or more network protocols. In some instances, thereceiving device 202 may be configured to receive data from issuinginstitutions 106, payment networks 112, blockchain networks 114,merchants 110, and other systems and entities via one or morecommunication methods, such as radio frequency, local area networks,wireless area networks, cellular communication networks, Bluetooth, theInternet, etc. In some embodiments, the receiving device 202 may becomprised of multiple devices, such as different receiving devices forreceiving data over different networks, such as a first receiving devicefor receiving data over a local area network and a second receivingdevice for receiving data via the Internet. The receiving device 202 mayreceive electronically transmitted data signals, where data may besuperimposed or otherwise encoded on the data signal and decoded,parsed, read, or otherwise obtained via receipt of the data signal bythe receiving device 202. In some instances, the receiving device 202may include a parsing module for parsing the received data signal toobtain the data superimposed thereon. For example, the receiving device202 may include a parser program configured to receive and transform thereceived data signal into usable input for the functions performed bythe processing device to carry out the methods and systems describedherein.

The receiving device 202 may be configured to receive data signalselectronically transmitted by issuing institutions 106 that aresuperimposed or otherwise encoded with chargeback requests, which mayinclude at least a specific transaction identifier associated with apayment transaction corresponding to the chargeback request. Thereceiving device 202 may also be configured to receive data signals thatare superimposed or otherwise encoded with chargeback resolution data,which may be electronically transmitted by the issuing institution 106or another entity, such as the merchant 110 or payment network 112. Thereceiving device 202 may also be configured to receive data signalselectronically transmitted by nodes in the blockchain network 114, whichmay be superimposed or otherwise encoded with blockchain data, such asthe blocks comprising the blockchain and/or data included therein.

The processing server 102 may also include a communication module 204.The communication module 204 may be configured to transmit data betweenmodules, engines, databases, memories, and other components of theprocessing server 102 for use in performing the functions discussedherein. The communication module 204 may be comprised of one or morecommunication types and utilize various communication methods forcommunications within a computing device. For example, the communicationmodule 204 may be comprised of a bus, contact pin connectors, wires,etc. In some embodiments, the communication module 204 may also beconfigured to communicate between internal components of the processingserver 102 and external components of the processing server 102, such asexternally connected databases, display devices, input devices, etc. Theprocessing server 102 may also include a processing device. Theprocessing device may be configured to perform the functions of theprocessing server 102 discussed herein as will be apparent to personshaving skill in the relevant art. In some embodiments, the processingdevice may include and/or be comprised of a plurality of engines and/ormodules specially configured to perform one or more functions of theprocessing device, such as a querying module 214, generation module 216,transaction processing module 218, etc. As used herein, the term“module” may be software or hardware particularly programmed to receivean input, perform one or more processes using the input, and provides anoutput. The input, output, and processes performed by various moduleswill be apparent to one skilled in the art based upon the presentdisclosure.

The processing server 102 may include a memory 206. The memory 206 maybe configured to store data for use by the processing server 102 inperforming the functions discussed herein, such as public and privatekeys, symmetric keys, etc. The memory 206 may be configured to storedata using suitable data formatting methods and schema and may be anysuitable type of memory, such as read-only memory, random access memory,etc. The memory 206 may include, for example, encryption keys andalgorithms, communication protocols and standards, data formattingstandards and protocols, program code for modules and applicationprograms of the processing device, and other data that may be suitablefor use by the processing server 102 in the performance of the functionsdisclosed herein as will be apparent to persons having skill in therelevant art. In some embodiments, the memory 206 may be comprised of ormay otherwise include a relational database that utilizes structuredquery language for the storage, identification, modifying, updating,accessing, etc. of structured data sets stored therein.

The memory 206 may be configured to store a blockchain 208. As discussedabove, the blockchain 208 may be comprised of a plurality of blocks,where each block may be comprised of at least a block header and one ormore data values. Each block header may include a time stamp, areference value referring to the preceding block in the blockchain, anda reference value referring to the one or more data values included inthe respective block. The memory 206 may also be configured to store anyadditional data that may be used by the processing server 102 inperforming the functions discussed herein, such as hashing algorithmsfor generating reference values for the blockchain, data used for thegeneration of smart contracts, communication data for communicating withissuing institutions 106, etc.

The processing server 102 may include a querying module 214. Thequerying module 214 may be configured to execute queries on databases toidentify information. The querying module 214 may receive one or moredata values or query strings, and may execute a query string basedthereon on an indicated database, such as the memory 206, to identifyinformation stored therein. The querying module 214 may then output theidentified information to an appropriate engine or module of theprocessing server 102 as necessary. The querying module 214 may, forexample, execute a query on the memory 206 to identify a data valuestored in a block of the blockchain 208, which may include a specifictransaction identifier associated with a payment transaction for which achargeback is requested.

The processing server 102 may also include a generation module 216. Thegeneration module 216 may be configured to generate data for theprocessing server 102 for use in performing the functions discussedherein. The generation module 216 may receive instructions as input, maygenerate data based on the instructions, and may output the generateddata to one or more modules or engines of the processing server 102. Forexample, the generation module 216 may be configured to generate newtransaction data values for inclusion in the blockchain, including atransaction data value that includes an indication that a chargeback hasbeen requested for a payment transaction, as well as a transaction datavalue that includes an indication of a resolution of a chargebackrequested for a payment transaction. In some embodiments, the generationmodule 216 may be further configured to generate smart contracts, whichmay be included in a data value added to the blockchain that includes anindication that a chargeback is requested for a payment transaction, andmay be configured to self-execute once a resolution for that chargebackhas been found, which may result in the generation of a subsequent datavalue that indicates said resolution for the chargeback.

In some embodiments, the processing server 102 may also include atransaction processing module 218. The transaction processing module 218may be configured to perform the functions of the processing server 102related to the processing of payment transactions, as discussed herein.For instance, the transaction processing module 218 may be configured toinitiate chargebacks, identify chargeback resolutions, initiate paymentsor refunds related to successful chargebacks, etc. In cases where theprocessing server 102 may be a part of the payment network 112, thetransaction processing module 218 may be configured to performtraditional functions related to the processing of payment transactions,such as transaction message routing, fraud scoring, etc.

In cases where the processing server 102 may be a part of the blockchainnetwork 114 (e.g., may be a node thereof), the processing server 102 mayinclude additional modules or engines associated with the performance asa node of the blockchain network 114. For instance, the generationmodule 216 may be configured to generate new blocks and new blockheaders, a hashing module may be included to generate reference valuesfor inclusion in block headers, a verification module may be included toverify reference values and new blocks that are submitted (e.g., byother nodes) for inclusion to the blockchain, etc.

The processing server 102 may also include a transmitting device 220.The transmitting device 220 may be configured to transmit data over oneor more networks via one or more network protocols. In some instances,the transmitting device 220 may be configured to transmit data toissuing institutions 106, blockchain networks 114, and other entitiesvia one or more communication methods, local area networks, wirelessarea networks, cellular communication, Bluetooth, radio frequency, theInternet, etc. In some embodiments, the transmitting device 220 may becomprised of multiple devices, such as different transmitting devicesfor transmitting data over different networks, such as a firsttransmitting device for transmitting data over a local area network anda second transmitting device for transmitting data via the Internet. Thetransmitting device 220 may electronically transmit data signals thathave data superimposed that may be parsed by a receiving computingdevice. In some instances, the transmitting device 220 may include oneor more modules for superimposing, encoding, or otherwise formattingdata into data signals suitable for transmission.

The transmitting device 220 may be configured to electronically transmitdata signals to nodes in the blockchain network 114, which may besuperimposed or otherwise encoded with data values for inclusion inblocks subsequently added to the blockchain. In some cases, data valuesmay include smart contracts for self-execution, such as when aresolution has been found for a chargeback. In some embodiments, thetransmitting device 220 may also be configured to electronicallytransmit data signals to issuing institutions 106, such as in instanceswhere the processing server 102 is configured to initiate a chargebackon behalf of or upon instruction by the issuing institution 106, wheresuch data signals may be superimposed or otherwise encoded with thechargeback resolution and any other data associated therewith.

Process for Storing Chargeback Data in Blockchain Data Values

FIG. 3 illustrates a process 300 of the processing server 102 in thesystem 100 for the storage of data associated with a chargeback for anelectronic payment transaction in data values included in the blockchainassociated with the blockchain network 114.

In step 302, the receiving device 202 of the processing server 102 mayreceive blockchain data, such as may be electronically transmitted froma node in the blockchain network 114 using a suitable communicationnetwork and method. The blockchain data may include one or more blocksand the one or more data values included therein. In some cases, thequerying module 214 of the processing server 102 may execute a query onthe memory 206 to store the blockchain data therein, and/or to add theblockchain data to an existing blockchain 208 stored in the memory 206.In step 304, the receiving device 202 of the processing server 102 mayreceive a chargeback request submitted by an issuing institution 106.The chargeback request may include at least a specific transactionidentifier associated with the payment transaction to which thechargeback request is related. In step 306, the querying module 214 ofthe processing server 102 may execute a query on the memory 206 toidentify a blockchain transaction (e.g., its corresponding data value)in the blockchain 208 that includes the specific transaction identifier.

In step 308, the generation module 216 of the processing server 102 maygenerate a first blockchain data value. The first blockchain data valuemay include at least the specific transaction identifier as well as anindication that a chargeback has been requested for the related paymenttransaction. In some cases, an additional reference value may beincluded in the first blockchain data value, such as may refer to theblockchain transaction identified in step 306. For example, each datavalue may include its own unique identifier associated therewith. Insuch an example, the first blockchain data value may include its ownunique identifier and the unique identifier associated with the earlieridentified blockchain transaction, in addition to the indication that achargeback has been requested. In step 310, the transmitting device 220of the processing server 102 may electronically transmit the firstblockchain data value to a node in the blockchain network 114 forinclusion in a subsequent block added to the blockchain.

In step 312, the processing server 102 may determine if a disposition ofthe chargeback has been received. The determination may be based on, forinstance, the monitoring of communications received via the receivingunit 202 to determine if any include a resolution of the chargebackassociated with the specific transaction identifier. If no dispositionhas been received, then, in step 314, the processing server 102 maycontinue to wait for a disposition for a predetermined period of time.The predetermined period of time may be set by any entity involved inthe chargeback, such as the issuing institution 106, processing server102, payment network 112, and may be a time that the processing server102 may wait for resolution of the chargeback before assuming that thechargeback has failed or will otherwise not be processed (e.g., theconsumer 104 may withdraw their chargeback, the merchant 110 andconsumer 104 may settle the chargeback, etc.). In step 316, theprocessing server 102 may again determine if the disposition of thechargeback has been received once the predetermined period of time hasexpired.

If the time has expired and still no disposition has been received forthe chargeback, then, in step 318, the generation module 216 of theprocessing server 102 may generate a second blockchain data value thatindicates that the chargeback failed. In such cases, the secondblockchain data value may also include a reason code, which may indicatethat the chargeback timed out (e.g., the predetermined period of timeexpired without a disposition being received). In step 320, thetransmitting device 220 of the processing server 102 may electronicallytransmit the second blockchain data value to a node in the blockchainnetwork 114 for addition into the blockchain.

If, in steps 312 or 316, the processing server 102 identifies that adisposition for the chargeback has been successfully received (e.g., viathe receiving unit 202 thereof), then, in step 322, the processingserver 102 may determine if the chargeback was successful based on thedisposition. If the chargeback was unsuccessful, then the process 300may proceed to step 318 where the second blockchain data value isgenerated that indicates that the chargeback has failed. In such cases,the second blockchain data value may also include a reason code, whichmay include a reason indicated in the disposition received by theprocessing server 102, if available. For instance, the reason code maybe a code indicating that the merchant 110 issued a refund to theconsumer 104 or replaced a defective product. If the chargeback wassuccessful, then the process 300 may proceed to step 324, where thegeneration module 216 of the processing server 102 may generate a secondblockchain data value that indicates that the chargeback was successful.Once the second blockchain data value has been generated, the process300 may proceed to step 320 where the transmitting device 220 of theprocessing server 102 may electronically transmit the second blockchaindata value to a node in the blockchain network 114 for inclusion in asubsequent block. The chargeback data may then be stored in thedecentralized ledger in an immutable format for review by any interestedentity.

Exemplary Method for Recording Chargebacks in Blockchain Transactions

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 for the recording of data related to arequested chargeback for an electronic payment transaction in ablockchain.

In step 402, a blockchain (e.g., the blockchain 208) may be stored in amemory (e.g., the memory 206) of a processing server (e.g., theprocessing server 102), wherein the blockchain includes a plurality ofblocks, each block being comprised of at least a block header and one ormore data values, where each data value includes at least a uniquetransaction identifier and data corresponding to a processed paymenttransaction. In step 404, a chargeback request may be received by areceiving device (e.g., the receiving device 202) of the processingserver, wherein the chargeback request includes a specific transactionidentifier corresponding to a unique transaction identifier included ina specific data value in the blockchain. In step 406, a firsttransaction data value may be generated for the corresponding paymenttransaction by a generation module (e.g., the generation module 216) ofthe processing server, where the first transaction data value comprisesat least the specific transaction identifier, a first new uniquetransaction identifier, and data indicating that a chargeback isrequested for the corresponding payment transaction.

In step 408, the first transaction data value may be electronicallytransmitted by a transmitting device (e.g., the transmitting device 220)of the processing server to a blockchain node. In step 410, thegeneration module of the processing server may generate a secondtransaction data value comprising at least the specific transactionidentifier, a second new unique transaction identifier, and dataindicating a resolution for the chargeback requested for thecorresponding payment transaction. In step 412, the second transactiondata value may be electronically transmitted to the blockchain node bythe transmitting device of the processing server.

In one embodiment, the second transaction data value may be generatedafter a predetermined period of time following receipt of the chargebackrequest. In a further embodiment, the first transaction data value mayinclude a smart contract configured to instruct the generation module togenerate the second transaction data value after the predeterminedperiod of time. In some embodiments, the blockchain node may beassociated with a second blockchain. In one embodiment, the firsttransaction data value and the second transaction data value may furtherinclude a blockchain identifier associated with the stored blockchain.

In some embodiments, the method 400 may further include receiving, bythe receiving device of the processing server, a resolutionnotification, wherein the resolution notification includes the indicatedresolution and at least one of: the specific transaction identifier andthe first new unique transaction identifier. In a further embodiment,the resolution notification may be received from a transactionprocessing module (e.g., the transaction processing module 218) includedin the processing server. In another further embodiment, the resolutionnotification may be received from a node associated with the blockchainand generated via execution of a smart contract included in the firsttransaction data value.

Computer System Architecture

FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system 500 in which embodiments of thepresent disclosure, or portions thereof, may be implemented ascomputer-readable code. For example, the computing device 102 of FIG. 1may be implemented in the computer system 500 using hardware, software,firmware, non-transitory computer readable media having instructionsstored thereon, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in oneor more computer systems or other processing systems. Hardware,software, or any combination thereof may embody modules and componentsused to implement the methods of FIGS. 3 and 4.

If programmable logic is used, such logic may execute on a commerciallyavailable processing platform configured by executable software code tobecome a specific purpose computer or a special purpose device (e.g.,programmable logic array, application-specific integrated circuit,etc.). A person having ordinary skill in the art may appreciate thatembodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be practiced withvarious computer system configurations, including multi-coremultiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, computerslinked or clustered with distributed functions, as well as pervasive orminiature computers that may be embedded into virtually any device. Forinstance, at least one processor device and a memory may be used toimplement the above described embodiments.

A processor unit or device as discussed herein may be a singleprocessor, a plurality of processors, or combinations thereof. Processordevices may have one or more processor “cores.” The terms “computerprogram medium,” “non-transitory computer readable medium,” and“computer usable medium” as discussed herein are used to generally referto tangible media such as a removable storage unit 518, a removablestorage unit 522, and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 512.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in terms ofthis example computer system 500. After reading this description, itwill become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how toimplement the present disclosure using other computer systems and/orcomputer architectures. Although operations may be described as asequential process, some of the operations may in fact be performed inparallel, concurrently, and/or in a distributed environment, and withprogram code stored locally or remotely for access by single ormulti-processor machines. In addition, in some embodiments the order ofoperations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of thedisclosed subject matter.

Processor device 504 may be a special purpose or a general purposeprocessor device specifically configured to perform the functionsdiscussed herein. The processor device 504 may be connected to acommunications infrastructure 506, such as a bus, message queue,network, multi-core message-passing scheme, etc. The network may be anynetwork suitable for performing the functions as disclosed herein andmay include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), awireless network (e.g., WiFi), a mobile communication network, asatellite network, the Internet, fiber optic, coaxial cable, infrared,radio frequency (RF), or any combination thereof. Other suitable networktypes and configurations will be apparent to persons having skill in therelevant art. The computer system 500 may also include a main memory 508(e.g., random access memory, read-only memory, etc.), and may alsoinclude a secondary memory 510. The secondary memory 510 may include thehard disk drive 512 and a removable storage drive 514, such as a floppydisk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flashmemory, etc.

The removable storage drive 514 may read from and/or write to theremovable storage unit 518 in a well-known manner. The removable storageunit 518 may include a removable storage media that may be read by andwritten to by the removable storage drive 514. For example, if theremovable storage drive 514 is a floppy disk drive or universal serialbus port, the removable storage unit 518 may be a floppy disk orportable flash drive, respectively. In one embodiment, the removablestorage unit 518 may be non-transitory computer readable recordingmedia.

In some embodiments, the secondary memory 510 may include alternativemeans for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loadedinto the computer system 500, for example, the removable storage unit522 and an interface 520. Examples of such means may include a programcartridge and cartridge interface (e.g., as found in video gamesystems), a removable memory chip (e.g., EEPROM, PROM, etc.) andassociated socket, and other removable storage units 522 and interfaces520 as will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant art.

Data stored in the computer system 500 (e.g., in the main memory 508and/or the secondary memory 510) may be stored on any type of suitablecomputer readable media, such as optical storage (e.g., a compact disc,digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.) or magnetic tape storage(e.g., a hard disk drive). The data may be configured in any type ofsuitable database configuration, such as a relational database, astructured query language (SQL) database, a distributed database, anobject database, etc. Suitable configurations and storage types will beapparent to persons having skill in the relevant art.

The computer system 500 may also include a communications interface 524.The communications interface 524 may be configured to allow software anddata to be transferred between the computer system 500 and externaldevices. Exemplary communications interfaces 524 may include a modem, anetwork interface (e.g., an Ethernet card), a communications port, aPCMCIA slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via thecommunications interface 524 may be in the form of signals, which may beelectronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals as will beapparent to persons having skill in the relevant art. The signals maytravel via a communications path 526, which may be configured to carrythe signals and may be implemented using wire, cable, fiber optics, aphone line, a cellular phone link, a radio frequency link, etc.

The computer system 500 may further include a display interface 502. Thedisplay interface 502 may be configured to allow data to be transferredbetween the computer system 500 and external display 530. Exemplarydisplay interfaces 502 may include high-definition multimedia interface(HDMI), digital visual interface (DVI), video graphics array (VGA), etc.The display 530 may be any suitable type of display for displaying datatransmitted via the display interface 502 of the computer system 500,including a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, liquid crystal display(LCD), light-emitting diode (LED) display, capacitive touch display,thin-film transistor (TFT) display, etc.

Computer program medium and computer usable medium may refer tomemories, such as the main memory 508 and secondary memory 510, whichmay be memory semiconductors (e.g., DRAMs, etc.). These computer programproducts may be means for providing software to the computer system 500.Computer programs (e.g., computer control logic) may be stored in themain memory 508 and/or the secondary memory 510. Computer programs mayalso be received via the communications interface 524. Such computerprograms, when executed, may enable computer system 500 to implement thepresent methods as discussed herein. In particular, the computerprograms, when executed, may enable processor device 504 to implementthe methods illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 4, as discussed herein.Accordingly, such computer programs may represent controllers of thecomputer system 500. Where the present disclosure is implemented usingsoftware, the software may be stored in a computer program product andloaded into the computer system 500 using the removable storage drive514, interface 520, and hard disk drive 512, or communications interface524.

The processor device 504 may comprise one or more modules or enginesconfigured to perform the functions of the computer system 500. Each ofthe modules or engines may be implemented using hardware and, in someinstances, may also utilize software, such as corresponding to programcode and/or programs stored in the main memory 508 or secondary memory510. In such instances, program code may be compiled by the processordevice 504 (e.g., by a compiling module or engine) prior to execution bythe hardware of the computer system 500. For example, the program codemay be source code written in a programming language that is translatedinto a lower level language, such as assembly language or machine code,for execution by the processor device 504 and/or any additional hardwarecomponents of the computer system 500. The process of compiling mayinclude the use of lexical analysis, preprocessing, parsing, semanticanalysis, syntax-directed translation, code generation, codeoptimization, and any other techniques that may be suitable fortranslation of program code into a lower level language suitable forcontrolling the computer system 500 to perform the functions disclosedherein. It will be apparent to persons having skill in the relevant artthat such processes result in the computer system 500 being a speciallyconfigured computer system 500 uniquely programmed to perform thefunctions discussed above.

Techniques consistent with the present disclosure provide, among otherfeatures, systems and methods for recording chargebacks in blockchaintransactions. While various exemplary embodiments of the disclosedsystem and method have been described above it should be understood thatthey have been presented for purposes of example only, not limitations.It is not exhaustive and does not limit the disclosure to the preciseform disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light ofthe above teachings or may be acquired from practicing of thedisclosure, without departing from the breadth or scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for recording chargebacks in blockchaintransactions, comprising: storing, in a memory of a processing server, ablockchain, wherein the blockchain includes a plurality of blocks, eachblock being comprised of at least a block header and one or more datavalues, where each data value includes at least a unique transactionidentifier and data corresponding to a processed payment transaction;receiving, by a receiving device of the processing server, a chargebackrequest, wherein the chargeback request includes a specific transactionidentifier corresponding to a unique transaction identifier included ina specific data value in the blockchain; generating, by a generationmodule of the processing server, a first transaction data valuecomprising at least the specific transaction identifier, a first newunique transaction identifier, and data indicating that a chargeback isrequested for the corresponding payment transaction; electronicallytransmitting, by a transmitting device of the processing server, thefirst transaction data value to a blockchain node; generating, by thegeneration module of the processing server, a second transaction datavalue comprising at least the specific transaction identifier, a secondnew unique transaction identifier, and data indicating a resolution forthe chargeback requested for the corresponding payment transaction; andelectronically transmitting, by the transmitting device of theprocessing server, the second transaction data value to a blockchainnode.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second transaction datavalue is generated after a predetermined period of time followingreceipt of the chargeback request.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thefirst transaction data value includes a smart contract configured toinstruct the generation module to generate the second transaction datavalue after the predetermined period of time.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising: receiving, by the receiving device of the processingserver, a resolution notification, wherein the resolution notificationincludes the indicated resolution and at least one of: the specifictransaction identifier and the first new unique transaction identifier.5. The method of claim 4, wherein the resolution notification isreceived from a transaction processing module included in the processingserver.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the resolution notification isreceived from a node associated with the blockchain and generated viaexecution of a smart contract included in the first transaction datavalue.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the blockchain node isassociated with a second blockchain.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first transaction data value and the second transaction data valuefurther include a blockchain identifier associated with the storedblockchain.
 9. A system for recording chargebacks in blockchaintransactions, comprising: a memory of a processing server configured tostore a blockchain, wherein the blockchain includes a plurality ofblocks, each block being comprised of at least a block header and one ormore data values, where each data value includes at least a uniquetransaction identifier and data corresponding to a processed paymenttransaction; a receiving device of the processing server configured toreceive a chargeback request, wherein the chargeback request includes aspecific transaction identifier corresponding to a unique transactionidentifier included in a specific data value in the blockchain; ageneration module of the processing server configured to generate afirst transaction data value comprising at least the specifictransaction identifier, a first new unique transaction identifier, anddata indicating that a chargeback is requested for the correspondingpayment transaction; and a transmitting device of the processing serverconfigured to electronically transmit the first transaction data valueto a blockchain node, wherein the generation module of the processingserver is further configured to generate a second transaction data valuecomprising at least the specific transaction identifier, a second newunique transaction identifier, and data indicating a resolution for thechargeback requested for the corresponding payment transaction, and thetransmitting device of the processing server is further configured toelectronically transmit the second transaction data value to ablockchain node.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the secondtransaction data value is generated after a predetermined period of timefollowing receipt of the chargeback request.
 11. The system of claim 10,wherein the first transaction data value includes a smart contractconfigured to instruct the generation module to generate the secondtransaction data value after the predetermined period of time.
 12. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the receiving device of the processing serveris further configured to receive a resolution notification, wherein theresolution notification includes the indicated resolution and at leastone of: the specific transaction identifier and the first new uniquetransaction identifier.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein theresolution notification is received from a transaction processing moduleincluded in the processing server.
 14. The system of claim 12, whereinthe resolution notification is received from a node associated with theblockchain and generated via execution of a smart contract included inthe first transaction data value.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein theblockchain node is associated with a second blockchain.
 16. The systemof claim 9, wherein the first transaction data value and the secondtransaction data value further include a blockchain identifierassociated with the stored blockchain.